Sixt, Johann Abraham

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Sixt, Johann Abraham

Sixt, Johann Abraham , German organist, harpsichordist, and composer; b. Grafenhausen, Baden-Wurttemberg, Jan. 3, 1757; d. Donaueschingen, Jan. 30, 1797. He was the son of a schoolmaster and organist, Johann Michael Sixt, who gave him his first music lessons; later attended the Stuttgart Karlsschule; was in Vienna in 1784, and received a recommendation from Mozart. After holding minor posts as an organist, he was active in Stuttgart; became a harpsichordist and composer at the Donaueschingen court in 1784. He wrote piano trios, sonatas, and other instrumental works, but of particular interest are his lieder, with long introductions in the accompaniment, setting the mood of the text.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire